Infrared lamp holder

Abstract

A tubular infrared lamp is mounted within the confines of a reflector and includes flattened, jacketed terminal structure on each end of the tube. Each terminal end extends through appropriately sized apertures in the opposed end walls of the reflector with the apertures including notches for receipt of the flattened terminals. Insulated terminal posts are mounted on the exterior side of the reflector end walls and wire leads extend tightly between the lamp ends and the corresponding post to secure the lamp against excessive axial movement. An insulating shield having an aperture, including notches, of similar size and configuration as the aperture of the end walls is disposed against the external surface of the end wall. The shield is oriented so that the notches of each respective aperture are in non-alignment, thus blocking cooling air flow, passing over the lamp ends, from entering the reflector. Also, the lamp's terminal ends are electrically shielded from the metal end wall of the reflector by the insulating shield. The shield is maintained in this angular orientation by a spring clip extending outwardly from the insulated terminal post to a position positively engaging the shield.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. Structure for securing a tubular shaped lamp having broad flattened terminal ends within a reflector assembly including opposed end walls defining apertures generally conforming to the tubular portion of the lamp and including notches for receipt therethrough of said terminal ends, said terminal ends being spaced from said end walls in said secured position, said structure comprising: a post member mounted on said assembly generally adjacent each terminal end of said lamp;   a lead wire attached to said terminal end and connected to said post member, said wire being generally taut between said lamp and said post to prevent excessive axial movement of said lamp and also maintain said terminal ends in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to said notches in said aperture;   a sheet of insulating material interposed between said terminal end and said end wall, said sheet defining an aperture including notches generally coextensive with the aperture in said end wall; and,   means for retaining said sheet in said position against said end wall and with the notches in the aperture therein at an angular orientation distinct from the angular orientation of the associated terminal end of said lamp whereby the terminal end and end wall are electrically shielded from each other by said sheet.   
     
     
       2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said notches in the aperture in said insulating sheet are also maintained at an angular orientation distinct from the notches in said side wall whereby structure of each said side wall or said sheet blocks the notches of the other to generally prevent air flow through said respective notches. 
     
     
       3. Structure according to claim 2 wherein said post member is an insulated terminal post. 
     
     
       4. Structure according to claim 2 wherein said means for retaining said insulating sheet comprises a clip member mounted at one end to said assembly and having a generally free end extending to overlie said sheet, said free end of said clip being resiliently biased towards said end wall. 
     
     
       5. Structure according to claim 4 wherein said free end of said clip member includes an inwardly shock dimple extending toward said end wall and said sheet includes an indexing aperture for receipt of said dimple to maintain said sheet in the proper angular orientation.